EU’s Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier hails Keir Starmer as a ‘patriot and a European’ – but he warns the Labour leader won’t be able to rewrite Britain’s trade deal with Brussels as PM

The EU’s Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has hailed Sir Keir Starmer as a ‘patriot and European’ – but warned he won’t be able to rewrite the UK-EU trade deal.

In an interview with the Financial Times, the French politician reiterated there could be no reopening of the agreement struck between London and Brussels.

Mr Barnier, who led the EU’s negotiating team during the UK’s exit from the bloc, said there was ‘no room’ for ‘any manoeuvre’ if Britain stayed outside the single market.

This is despite Sir Keir having pledged to seek a major rewrite of the UK’s Brexit deal in 2025 – when it is due for review – if Labour wins power at the general election. 

Speaking to the newspaper, Mr Barnier noted how Sir Keir had stressed he would not attempt to rejoin the EU’s single market or customs union if he becomes PM.

This meant there was ‘no room’ for ‘any manoeuvre’ on ‘any reopening of the EU-UK trade agreement’, Mr Barnier said.

The EU’s Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has hailed Sir Keir Starmer as a ‘patriot and European’ – but warned he won’t be able to rewrite the UK-EU trade deal

Sir Keir has pledged to seek a major rewrite of the UK’s Brexit deal in 2025 – when it is due for review – if Labour wins power at the general election

But Mr Barnier added: ‘It’s always possible to improve the functioning of this agreement, on some technical points.’

Mr Barnier also suggested the ‘door is open’ for Britain to rejoin the Erasmus study abroad scheme, which the UK left after Brexit following a failure to agree terms.

Sir Keir has previously sniped that Britain’s trade deal with Brussels, struck by ex-prime minister Boris Johnson, is ‘not a good deal’ and ‘far too thin’.

‘As we go into 2025 we will attempt to get a much better deal for the UK,’ the Labour leader said in September.

He vowed to strike a veterinary agreement with the EU to reduce border checks on animals and food, as well as a deal on the recognition of professional qualifications.

Sir Keir also insisted there could be a ‘closer trading relationship’ between the UK and EU, which would be ‘subject to further discussion’.

Mr Barnier had already dashed the Labour leader’s hopes of striking a better trade deal with the EU should the UK remain outside the single market and customs union.

He told ITV’s Peston programme last month: ‘To be frank, there is no room for any kind of renegotiation on the substance.

‘Because as I always said during all the negotiations from day one to the last day, there is no room for any kind of unravelling of the single market.

‘If his point is very clear, we can improve some of the technical details – for instance the veterinary arrangements to facilitate the export of animals or vegetables.

‘But we have to be out or in.’

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